WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsSouthern Copper Corporation (SCCO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 1868% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $14.55B). SCCO leads profitability with a 34.1% profit margin vs 3.0%. COST appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 5.14. SCCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (B-).

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84

SCCO

Strong Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 9.3Profit: 10.0Value: 3.7Quality: 6.8
Piotroski: 5/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-89.1%)

Margin of Safety

-89.1%

Fair Value

$535.26

Current Price

$1008.79

$473.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $535.26Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for SCCO.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$449.00B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.8410/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
29.6%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.279/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Revenue GrowthGrowth
21.5%8/10

Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
45.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY

SCCO6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
46.3%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 46 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
34.1%10/10

Keeps 34 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
58.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 58.3%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
36.2%10/10

Revenue surging 36.2% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
66.7%10/10

Earnings expanding 66.7% YoY

Market CapQuality
$148.31B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Areas to Watch

COST4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Profit MarginProfitability
3.0%3/10

3.0% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

Operating margin of 3.7%

PEG RatioValuation
5.142/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
52.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

SCCO3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
P/E RatioValuation
30.1x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
13.0x4/10

Trading at 13.0x book value

PEG RatioValuation
5.412/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : COST

The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity. Revenue growth of 21.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : SCCO

The strongest argument for SCCO centers on Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.1% and operating margin at 58.3%. Revenue growth of 36.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : COST

The primary concerns for COST are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, PEG Ratio. A P/E of 52.6x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : SCCO

The primary concerns for SCCO are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

SCCO carries more volatility with a beta of 1.08 — expect wider price swings.

SCCO is growing revenue faster at 36.2% — sustainability is the question.

COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

SCCO scores higher overall (65/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 34.1% margins and 36.2% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Costco Wholesale Corp

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA

Costco Wholesale Corporation (doing business as Costco Wholesale and also known simply as Costco) is an American multinational corporation which operates a chain of membership-only (needing a membership to shop there) big-box retail stores. As of 2020, Costco was the fifth largest retailer in the world, and the world's largest retailer of choice and prime beef, organic foods, rotisserie chicken, and wine as of 2016.

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Southern Copper Corporation

BASIC MATERIALS · COPPER · USA

Southern Copper Corporation is engaged in the extraction, exploration, smelting and refining of copper and other minerals in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador and Chile.

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